March 17, 2023

Weekly Statehouse update: National Guard matters, highway speed cameras pilot

Listen at IPB News

Article origination IPB News
The Indiana Statehouse. - Brandon Smith/IPB News

The Indiana Statehouse.

Brandon Smith/IPB News

No answers from the National Guard about a lack of courts-martial. Highway work zone speed cameras near the finish line. And closing a loophole in the state’s child seduction law.

Here’s what you might have missed this week at the Statehouse.

HB 1076: Indiana National Guard matters

A bill headed to the governor would give the leader of the Indiana National Guard the power to convene a court-martial, a power currently exclusive to the governor. National Guard leaders say HB 1076 is necessary because that exclusivity has been an impediment. But the Guard hasn’t asked the governor for a single court-martial since he took office in 2017 – and won’t explain why.

HB 1015: Worksite speed control pilot program

After years of trying, lawmakers are close to creating a pilot program that will allow speed cameras in four highway construction sites statewide under HB 1015. Motorists caught by the cameras going at least 11 miles per hour over the limit would be ticketed.

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on statewide issues throughout the legislative session. And follow along with our bill tracker.

HB 1228: Child seduction

Indiana’s child seduction law criminalizes sexual contact between people in positions of power – like coaches – and 16- and 17-year-olds. But current law says a coach only counts if they’re affiliated with a school. HB 1228, which was approved by a Senate committee, would include all coaches. It was further expanded to include workplace supervisors who are at least four years older than their 16- and 17-year-old employees.

Find all the bills our statewide team is covering in our bill tracker at ipbs.org/projects/2023billtracker/

Brandon is our Statehouse bureau chief. Contact him at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Copyright 2023 IPB News. To see more, visit IPB News.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

Hoosiers to spend slightly less on Thanksgiving compared to 2023 prices
Indiana more than $300M off its budget plan through four months of fiscal year
Hydrogen project at BP enters planning phase. Residents worry safety concerns not being heard